As a part of the Czech-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations, two subsidiaries of Colt CZ Group SE signed contracts with the “Ukrainian Defense Industry” (“Ukroboronprom”) today: Sellier & Bellot and Ukroboronprom agreed to cooperate in the production of multiple types of small caliber ammunition in Ukraine. Česká zbrojovka, following upon the Agreement of Intent with Ukroboronprom from February, signed a transfer of technology contract to produce the CZ BREN 2 rifles in Ukraine. Foundations of these projects were laid at the First International Defense Industry Forum (DFNC1) which took place in Kyiv in September 2023, being a collaborative effort by the Ukrainian Ministry of Strategic Industries, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, drawing participation from 252 companies across more than 30 countries.
“We are honored to have been chosen by the Ukrainian government to help build its small caliber ammunition production capacity according to the NATO standards on the Ukrainian soil. Our contribution will focus on the delivery of machines for ammunition production,” said Radek Musil, CEO of Sellier & Bellot.
“The Czech Republic is one of our most active partners. We are grateful to the Czech people for their support and to the Czech arms manufacturers for their trust. I am confident that this cooperation will not only help increase arms production in Ukraine but also deepen the integration of the Ukrainian defense industry into the NATO defense industrial base,” said Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin.
“The Czech Republic has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its defense against the unprecedented Russian aggression through diplomatic means, as well as via economic, humanitarian, and military assistance. I am proud of the Czech companies Česká zbrojovka and Sellier & Bellot not only for delivering military material to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but also for building self-sustaining Ukrainian defense industry that will help Ukraine’s defense and economy,” commented Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.
Sellier & Bellot and Česká zbrojovka rank among the largest and most important defense industrial companies in the Czech Republic, being the largest ammunition and small arms manufacturers, respectively. Both companies are long-term partners and supplier of various military and law enforcement forces throughout the world, including many EU and NATO countries. Colt CZ Group (Colt CZ) is one of the leading producers of firearms and ammunition for military and law enforcement, personal defense, hunting, sport shooting, and other commercial use. It markets and sells its products mainly under the Colt, CZ (Česká zbrojovka), Colt Canada, CZ-USA, Dan Wesson, Sellier & Bellot, Spuhr, swissAA and 4M Systems brands. Colt CZ Group is headquartered in the Czech Republic and employs more than 3,600 people in its production facilities in the Czech Republic, the United States, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and Hungary. Colt CZ is owned by Česká zbrojovka Partners SE from 52.8%, CBC Europe S.à r.l. from 26.8% and the remaining 20.4% being a free float.
